GISD Education Foundation Awards Innovative Teaching Grants

Gainesville ISD: On November 30, the Gainesville ISD Education Foundation Board prize patrol circulated the GISD campuses and surprised the 2018 Innovative Teaching Grant recipients. This year, an incredible 24 grants were awarded for a combined total of $31,402.76, which is the most the Education Foundation has ever granted in one year. Since 2003, the Education Foundation has awarded $315,323 to GISD classrooms to expand the educational opportunities of students.

Edison Elementary was awarded six grants, totaling $4,778. These grants will fund a kindergarten real world experience to Circle N Dairy, a live theater performance at NCTC for first grade, bilingual books for dual language classrooms, play equipment for those with disabilities, and new headphones for the computer lab.

Chalmers Elementary teachers were awarded $5,017, which will assist a multitude of students throughout the campus. These three grants will provide a hands-on field trip to the zoo for 3rd grade, a book novel study for 4th grade, and additional tablets for 2nd grade classrooms.

Lee Intermediate was awarded four grants totaling $5,149. For the 11th year in a row, the 5th grade science classes will enjoy an environmental education day at Leeper Lake and also receive a personal copy of a guidebook for use during their trip and to take home to continue to learn. In a joint grant request, the counselor and librarian were awarded materials to help students explore potential career interests. In addition to these grants, the 6th grade will be able to accelerate their learning by using additional chromebooks.

GJHS teachers earned four grants and $3,668 from the Foundation this year. These grants will provide classroom laptops to increase student work time, books of interest for the library, a breakfast book club, and kinetic stimulation for students with disabilities.

At Gainesville High School, an incredible 6 grants were funded totaling $12,791. Physics and engineering students will experience aerospace at an air show and learn creatively with 3D objects made with a 3D printer. The health science classes will take advantage of funding for certifications, Ag students will attend the Noble Research Institute, and Life Skills classroom will be outfitted with sensory tools. In addition, the students will get to learn the farm to table life of the food we eat, from taking a trip to see and learn about beef cattle, poultry farm, and various farmers markets.

The Education Foundation is operated through a volunteer Board of Directors made up of business, community, and education leaders, who work throughout the year to generate funds and distribute resources to GISD to enrich, maintain, and expand programs needed to meet the district’s stated mission in excellence. For more information on the Education Foundation grants or to make a donation, please visit www.gainesvilleisd.org/foundation.

Gainesville Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and national origin in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by Title IX, Section 504 and Title VI. Any person wishing to discuss possible violations should contact Alyce Greer Director, Business Operations, 800 S. Morris St. Gainesville, TX 76240, 940-665-0255